Increase in Salary...or Tweeting Time?

© Twitter.com - Obvious CorpOur generation is used to getting the information we want and getting it fast.  How fast did our generation hear about the earthquake in DC that was felt as far as Cincinnati?  Faster than most of the world thanks to texting, Tweeting, and Facebook (I got a ping as it was happening!).  We get frustrated when our internet search takes longer than three seconds and heaven forbid we ever forget our cellphones at home (how do we know what time it is?).  Our generation works and communicates quite differently than any before us.  But what’s our greatest downfall?  According to Cisco’s most recent “Cisco Connected World Technology Report,” it’s following IT security protocols.

Cisco’s Connected World Technology Report is a summary of results collected by polling 3,000 young IT professionals and college students from all around the world.  It is used to gauge what the next generation of workers will be looking for and how companies will need to mold the current environment to meet those needs and expectations.  Key areas include mobile technologies, social media, work life freedom, and network accesses.  The most troubling find of this study was that 70% of young professionals worldwide, admitted to knowingly ignoring or circumventing IT security policies and procedures.  The most common reason for doing so: They didn’t believe what they were doing was a real security threat and 61% don’t believe it is their responsibility to protect themselves on devices.  

When polled, the numbers and percentages are a little shocking.  2 out of every 5 people polled knew of at least one person who has had their identity stolen online (in college students alone 1 out of every 4 has had their own identity stolen).  However, a lot of this comes with the territory of trusting online sources more than we should.  33% felt that sharing personal information online is not a big deal in today’s world, especially since privacy boundaries are loosening and fading away.  56% of those polled said they have allowed others (family, friends, coworkers, STRANGERS) to use their computers without supervision, while 16% admitted leaving personal devices unattended in public (have you locked your computer today?).

So yes, the IT world is changing and a lot of that is due to the expectations of this new generation.  But we must keep in context is what’s faster truly what’s better or safer for everyone? 

Some more report findings:

-Two of five said they would accept a lower-paying job that had more flexibility with regard to device choice, social media access, and mobility than a higher-paying job with less flexibility

-One of every three polled believes the Internet is as important as air, water, food, and shelter.

-80% of employees said their companies IT policy on social media and device usage policy was outdated, if such a policy existed at all.

The press release can be viewed HERE, and the report can be seen HERE.